Image customization using a persona

ABSTRACT

An image management system includes a computing platform including a hardware processor and a system memory storing an image customization software code, and a database of personas assumable by a user, the database communicatively coupled to the image customization software code. The hardware processor executes the image customization software code to receive a wireless signal associating a persona stored in the database with the user, receive a digital image including an image of the user, and detect the image of the user in the digital image. The hardware processor further executes the image customization software code to obtain the persona from the database, and output a customized image to be rendered on a display, where the persona modifies the image of the user in the customized image.

BACKGROUND

Augmented reality (AR), in which real world objects and/or environmentsare digitally modified or replaced with virtual imagery, offer theopportunity to provide interactive experiences that are more immersiveand entertaining. AR can be used to modify images of real world objectsthrough augmentation, i.e., a user can see the real world through clearlenses with virtual projections on top. AR can be used to modify a realworld image through augmentation, or through selective omission of aportion of an image of a real world object, where the view of thereal-world comes from a headset mounted camera that is projected into VRspace, so a user still sees much of the real world around them.

SUMMARY

There are provided systems and methods for performing imagecustomization using a persona, substantially as shown in and/ordescribed in connection with at least one of the figures, and as setforth more completely in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an exemplary image management system forperforming image customization using a persona, according to oneimplementation;

FIG. 2 shows a diagram including a more detailed exemplaryrepresentation of an image processing system suitable for use inperforming image customization using a persona, according to oneimplementation;

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart presenting an exemplary method for performingimage customization using a persona, according to one implementation;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary user interface suitable for use as part of asystem for performing image customization using a persona, according toone implementation;

FIG. 5A shows an exemplary venue including a user wearing a wearableitem configured to identify a persona associated with the user, as wellas other visitors to the venue observing the user; and

FIG. 5B shows a customized image including an image of the user in FIG.5A modified by the persona associated with the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description contains specific information pertaining toimplementations in the present disclosure. One skilled in the art willrecognize that the present disclosure may be implemented in a mannerdifferent from that specifically discussed herein. The drawings in thepresent application and their accompanying detailed description aredirected to merely exemplary implementations. Unless noted otherwise,like or corresponding elements among the figures may be indicated bylike or corresponding reference numerals. Moreover, the drawings andillustrations in the present application are generally not to scale, andare not intended to correspond to actual relative dimensions.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an exemplary system for performing imagecustomization using a persona. As shown in FIG. 1, image managementsystem 100 includes computing platform 102 having hardware processor104, and system memory 106 implemented as a non-transitory storagedevice. According to the present exemplary implementation, system memory106 stores image customization software code 110 providing userinterface 120, and one or both of personas database 112 and accessoriesdatabase 114.

As further shown in FIG. 1, computing platform 102 is implemented withina use environment including network 130, and venue 134 including user140 wearing wearable item 142 and utilizing communication device 144. Inaddition, FIG. 1 shows image processing systems 150 a and 150 b used byrespective observers 136 a and 136 b of user 140, venue camera orcameras 138 (hereinafter “venue camera(s) 138”), and wireless signal 162transmitted by wearable device 142. Also shown in FIG. 1 are wirelessnetwork communication links 132, persona selection data 146, digitalimage 148 including an image of user 140, optical data 166, andcustomized image 168 including user persona 118 associated with user140.

Image management system 100 may be utilized to customize an imageportraying a human user, using a persona associated with that user.Image management system 100 may customize a digital image including animage of a user by receiving a wireless signal associating a personastored in a database of personas with the user. Image management system100 may further detect the image of the user in the digital image,obtain the persona associated with the user from the database, andoutput the customized image to be rendered on a display, where thepersona associated with the user modifies the image of the user in thecustomized image. In one implementation, the persona associated with theuser may include a virtual character that augments the image of the userin the customized image. For example, the user may appear to wear thevirtual character like a costume. In another implementation, the personaassociated with the user may include a virtual character that issubstituted for the image of the user in the customized image. In yetanother implementation, the persona associated with the user may be aprivacy persona, resulting in the absence of an image being substitutedfor the image of the user in the customized image.

Thus, image management system 100 can be utilized to communicate and/ormap user customization data to the real world. Moreover, in someimplementations, image management system 100 can be utilized toreconcile game state data for an augmented reality (AR) game between ARdevices; an action that requires information about both virtual andphysical objects. As a result, image management system 100 represents animprovement to a computer system that advantageously enables a user witha communication device to exercise considerable control over how his orher image is viewed by other people wearing AR glasses or with an ARdevice such as a mobile phone or tablet computer.

As shown in FIG. 1, user 140 may utilize communication device 144 tointeract with computing platform 102, via network 130 and user interface120, to use image customization software code 110, executed by hardwareprocessor 104, to associate user persona 118 with him or herself.Alternatively, or in addition, user persona 118 may be a permanent ortemporary entitlement gifted to user 140 by another user, or due toactions performed by user 140. For example, in some implementations,user persona 118 may be gifted to user 140 as a reward for purchase of aproduct or service offered at venue 134, or due to participation by user140 in a loyalty program associated with venue 134. User persona 118 maybe a virtual character, for example, chosen by, purchased by,transferred to from another user, borrowed by, or gifted to user 140 asa temporary or permanent entitlement from among multiple personas storedin personas database 112, for example. Thus, personas database 112 is adatabase of personas assumable by user 140.

In some implementations, in addition to choosing, purchasing, receiving,borrowing, or being gifted with user persona 118, user 140 may interactwith user interface 120 and image customization software code 110 tochoose one or more accessories for user persona 118 from accessoriesdatabase 114. Alternatively, or in addition, and for reasons similar tothose discussed above with respect to user persona 118, one or moreaccessories for user persona 118 may be permanently or temporarily heldas an entitlement by user 140. Where user persona 118 is a virtualcharacter, accessories stored in accessories database 114 can includeoutfits, such as clothing, colors for enhancing the appearance of userpersona 118, and weapons for use by user persona 118, to name a fewexamples.

As described in greater detail below, first and second observers 136 aand 136 b may utilize respective image processing systems 150 a and 150b in venue 134 to view customized image 168 including user 140 in whichthe image of user 140 is modified by user persona 118 and/or byaccessories for user persona 118. As also described in greater detailbelow, image processing systems 150 a and 150 b may identify userpersona 118 associated with user 140, and/or accessories for userpersona 118 available to user 140, based on data received wirelessly vianetwork 130, through optical identification of wearable item 142, orfrom wireless signal 162 received directly from wearable item 142.

It is noted that although wearable item 142 is shown in FIG. 1 as abutton or pin worn by user 140, that representation is merely exemplary.More generally, wearable item 142 may be any item suitable to be worn orcarried by user 140 in venue 134. Thus, in various implementations,wearable item 142 may be a button, pin, or pendant, for example, or awristband, ring, hat, or item of clothing. In some implementations, asshown in FIG. 1, wearable item 142 may be a device including a wirelesstransmitter, such as a radio-frequency identification (RFID)transmitter, for sending wireless signal 162 identifying user persona118 and/or accessories for user persona 118.

It is also noted that although image processing systems 150 a and 150 bare shown respectively as a virtual reality (VR) headset and a mobiledevice in the form of a smartphone or tablet computer in FIG. 1, thoserepresentations are also provided merely as examples. More generally,image processing systems 150 a and 150 b may be any suitable mobilecommunication devices that can be worn or carried by first and secondobservers 136 a and 136 b, and capable of performing data processingsufficient to support wireless connections to network 130, displaycustomized image 168 of user 140, and implement the functionalityascribed to image processing systems 150 a and 150 b herein. Forexample, in other implementations, image processing systems 150 a and/or150 b may take the form of AR glasses.

In some implementations, venue 134 may take the form of an indoor venue.Such indoor venues may include a cinema, a theater, or a concert hall,to name a few examples. Alternatively, in some implementations, venue134 may take the form of an outdoor venue. Such outdoor venues mayinclude a park, for instance a theme park, or a resort property, againto name merely a few examples. Venue camera(s) 138 may be implemented asone or more fixed cameras and one or more mobile cameras for obtainingoptical images throughout venue 134. Venue camera(s) 138 may beimplemented as still image cameras and/or video cameras, for example.

It is noted that, although the present application refers to imagecustomization software code 110 providing user interface 120, and one orboth of personas database 112 and accessories database 114 as beingstored in system memory 106 for conceptual clarity, more generally,system memory 106 may take the form of any computer-readablenon-transitory storage medium. The expression “computer-readablenon-transitory storage medium,” as used in the present application,refers to any medium, excluding a carrier wave or other transitorysignal that provides instructions to a hardware processor of a computingplatform, such as hardware processor 104 of computing platform 102.Thus, a computer-readable non-transitory medium may correspond tovarious types of media, such as volatile media and non-volatile media,for example. Volatile media may include dynamic memory, such as dynamicrandom access memory (dynamic RAM), while non-volatile memory mayinclude optical, magnetic, or electrostatic storage devices. Commonforms of computer-readable non-transitory media include, for example,optical discs, RAM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable PROM(EPROM), and FLASH memory.

It is further noted that although FIG. 1 depicts image customizationsoftware code 110 providing user interface 120, and one or both ofpersonas database 112 and accessories database 114 as being co-locatedin system memory 106, that representation is also provided merely as anaid to conceptual clarity. More generally, image management system 100may include one or more computing platforms, such as computer serversfor example, which may be co-located, or may form an interactivelylinked but distributed system, such as a cloud based system, forinstance. As a result, hardware processor 104 and system memory 106 maycorrespond to distributed processor and memory resources within imagemanagement system 100. Thus, it is to be understood that imagecustomization software code 110, and one or both of personas database112 and accessories database 114 may be stored and/or executed using thedistributed memory and/or processor resources of image management system100.

In one implementation, computing platform 102 may correspond to one ormore web servers, accessible over a packet-switched network such as theInternet, for example. Alternatively, computing platform 102 maycorrespond to one or more computer servers supporting a local areanetwork (LAN), or included in another type of private network.

Although communication device 144 utilized by user 140 is shown as amobile device in the form of a smartphone or tablet computer in FIG. 1,that representation is also provided merely as an example. Moregenerally, communication device 144 may be any suitable mobile orstationary computing device or system remote from computing platform 102and capable of performing data processing sufficient to utilize userinterface 120, support connections to network 130, and implement thefunctionality ascribed to communication device 144 herein. For example,in other implementations, communication device 144 may take the form ofa laptop or desktop computer, for example, may be a publicly accessiblekiosk or computer terminal in venue 134, or may be a kiosk or computerterminal reserved for members of a loyalty program associated with venue134.

FIG. 2 shows a more detailed representation of exemplary imageprocessing system 250 in combination with computing platform 202. Asshown in FIG. 2, image processing system 250 is communicatively coupledto computing platform 202 over wireless network communication link 232.Computing platform 202 includes hardware processor 204, and systemmemory 206 storing image customization software code 210 a providinguser interface 220, and one or both of personas database 212 a andaccessories database 214 a.

As further shown in FIG. 2, image processing system 250 includeshardware processor 254, system memory 256 implemented as anon-transitory storage device storing image customization software code210 b and one or both of personas database 212 b and accessoriesdatabase 214 b. As also shown in FIG. 2, image processing system 250includes transceiver 252, camera 258, such as an outward facing cameraor cameras, RFID reader 260, and display 262 receiving customized image268 from image customization software code 210 b.

Wireless network communication link 232 and computing platform 202having hardware processor 204 and system memory 206, correspond ingeneral to wireless network communication links 132 and computingplatform 102 having hardware processor 104 and system memory 106, inFIG. 1. In addition, image customization software code 210 a, userinterface 220, personas database 212 a, and accessories database 214 a,in FIG. 2, correspond respectively in general to image customizationsoftware code 110, user interface 120, personas database 112, andaccessories database 114, in FIG. 1. In other words, image customizationsoftware code 210 a, user interface 220, personas database 212 a, andaccessories database 214 a may share any of the characteristicsattributed to respectively corresponding image customization softwarecode 110, user interface 120, personas database 112, and accessoriesdatabase 114 by the present disclosure, and vice versa.

It is noted that customized image 268 including user persona 218, inFIG. 2, corresponds in general to customized image 168 including userpersona 118, in FIG. 1. Consequently, user persona 218 and customizedimage 268 may share any of the features or functionality attributed touser persona 118 and customized image 168 by the present disclosure, andvice versa. It is further noted that display 262 may be implemented as aliquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, anorganic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or any other suitabledisplay screen that performs a physical transformation of signals tolight.

Image processing system 250 corresponds in general to image processingsystems 150 a and 150 b, in FIG. 1, and those corresponding features mayshare any of the characteristics attributed to either correspondingfeature by the present disclosure. Thus, like image processing systems150 a and 150 b, image processing system 250 may take the form of amobile communication device such as a smartphone, AR glasses, or a VRheadset. In addition, and although not shown in FIG. 1, image processingsystems 150 a and 150 b may include features corresponding to hardwareprocessor 254, transceiver 252, camera 258, RFID reader 260, display262, and system memory 256 storing image customization software code 210b and one or both of personas database 212 b and accessories database214 b.

With respect to image customization software code 210 b, personasdatabase 212 b, and accessories database 214 b, it is noted that in someimplementations, image customization software code 210 b may be a thinclient application of image customization software code 110/210 a. Inthose implementations, image customization software code 210 b mayenable image processing system 150 a/150 b/250 to process wirelesssignal 162 and/or to output customized image 168/268 including userpersona 118/218. Moreover, in those implementations, system memory 256of image processing system 150 a/150 b/250 may not store personasdatabase 212 b or accessories database 214 b.

However, in other implementations, image customization software code 210b may include all of the features of image customization software code110/210 a, and may be capable of executing all of the samefunctionality. That is to say, in some implementations, imagecustomization software code 210 b corresponds to image customizationsoftware code 110/210 a and may share any of the features and performany of the processes attributed to those corresponding features by thepresent disclosure.

Furthermore, and as shown in FIG. 2, in implementations in which imagecustomization software code 210 b corresponds to image customizationsoftware code 110/210 a, one or both of personas database 212 b andaccessories database 214 b may be stored on system memory 256 of imageprocessing system 150 a/150 b/250. It is also noted that, when presentin system memory 256, personas database 212 b and accessories database214 b correspond respectively in general to personas database 112/212 aand accessories database 114/214 b, and may share any of thecharacteristics attributed to those corresponding features by thepresent disclosure.

According to the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 2, imagecustomization software code 210 b and one or both of personas database212 b and accessories database 214 b are located in system memory 256,having been received via wireless network communication link 132/232,either from computing platform 102/202 or an authorized third partysource of image customization software code 210 b and one or both ofpersonas database 212 b and accessories database 214 b. In oneimplementation, wireless network communication link 132/232 correspondsto transfer of image customization software code 210 b and one or bothof personas database 212 b and accessories database 214 b over apacket-switched network, for example. Once transferred, for instance bybeing downloaded over wireless network communication link 132/232, imagecustomization software code 210 b and one or both of personas database212 b and accessories database 214 b may be persistently stored indevice memory 256, and image customization software code 210 b may beexecuted locally on image processing system 150 a/150 b/250 by hardwareprocessor 254.

Hardware processor 254 may be the central processing unit (CPU) forimage processing system 150 a/150 b/250, for example, in which rolehardware processor 254 runs the operating system of image processingsystem 150 a/150 b/250 and executes image customization software code210 b. As noted above, image processing system 150 a/150 b/250 canutilize image customization software code 210 b, either as a thin clientapplication or as a software module having all of the features andfunctionality of image customization software code 110/210 a, to outputcustomized image 168/268 for rendering on display 262.

Customized image 168/268 is based on digital image 148 including animage of user 140. However, in customized image 168/268, the image ofuser 140 present in digital image 148 is modified by user persona118/218. In one implementation, for instance, user persona 118/218 maybe a virtual character that augments the image of user 140 in customizedimage 168/268. For example, user 140 may appear to first and secondobservers 136 a and 136 b in customized image 168/268 as though user 140is wearing user persona 118/218 as a costume. In another implementation,user persona 118/218 may include a virtual character that is substitutedfor the image of user 140 in customized image 168/268. In yet anotherimplementation, user persona 118/218 associated with user 140 may be aprivacy persona, resulting in the absence of an image being substitutedfor the image of user 140 in customized image 168/268. For example, acelebrity may not wish to appear or be recognizable in customized image168/268.

The functionality of image management system 100 and image processingsystem 150 a/150 b/250 and will be further described by reference toFIG. 3, with further reference to FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B. FIG. 3 showsflowchart 370 presenting an exemplary method for performing imagecustomization using a persona, according to one implementation. FIG. 4shows an exemplary user interface suitable for use as part of the imagemanagement systems shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 5A shows an exemplaryvenue including a user wearing a wearable item configured to identify apersona associated with the user, as well as an observer of the user,while FIG. 5B shows a customized image including the image of the userin FIG. 5A modified by the persona associated with the user. Withrespect to the method outlined in FIG. 3, it is noted that certaindetails and features have been left out of flowchart 370 in order not toobscure the discussion of the inventive features in the presentapplication.

Referring to FIG. 3 in combination with FIGS. 1 and 2, flowchart 370begins with receiving a wireless signal associating user 140 with userpersona 118/218 stored in personas database 112/212 a/212 b (action371). Depending upon the specific implementation, the wireless signalassociating user 140 with user persona 118/218 may take a variety offorms. As noted above, in some implementations, wearable item 142 may bea button, pin, pendant, wristband, ring, hat, or item of clothing forexample, including an RFID or other wireless transmitter for sendingwireless signal 162 identifying user persona 118/218. In thoseimplementations, wireless signal 162 associating user 140 with userpersona 118/218 may be received directly from wearable item 142 by imageprocessing system 150 a/150 b/250, using RFID reader 260 for example.That is to say, in those implementations, wireless signal 162associating user 140 with user persona 118/218 may be received by imagecustomization software code 210 b, executed by hardware processor 254.

In other implementations, the wireless signal associating user 140 withuser persona 118/218 may be provided by wireless network communicationlinks 132/232, in the form of optical data 166, for example. In some ofthose implementations, optical data 166 obtained using venue camera(s)138 and/or camera 258 of image processing system 150 a/150 b/250 andincluding an image of wearable device 142 may be used to associate user140 with user persona 118/218 based on object recognition of wearabledevice 142. In implementations in which optical data 166 is received bycomputing platform 102, optical data 166 may be received wirelessly vianetwork 130 by image customization software code 110/210 a, executed byhardware to processor 104/204. In implementations in which optical data166 is received by image processing system 150 a/150 b/250, optical data166 may be received wirelessly via network 130 using transceiver 252, ordirectly from camera 258, by image customization software code 210 b,executed by hardware processor 254.

In yet other implementations, the wireless signal associating user 140with user persona 118/218 may be provided by wireless networkcommunication links 132/232, in the form of persona selection data 146generated in response to an input to user interface 120/220 by user 140.Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 shows exemplary user interface 420identifying user 140 by user ID 492, and including personas selectionmenu 422, accessories selection menu 424, user account balance 426, userselection cost 428, enter biometrics option 488, and submit selectionbutton 490. User interface 420 corresponds in general to user interface120/220, in FIGS. 1 and 2. As a result, user interface 420 may share anyof the characteristics attributed to corresponding user interface120/220 by the present disclosure, and vice versa. Thus, although notshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, user interface 120/220 may include featurescorresponding respectively to personas selection menu 422, accessoriesselection menu 424, user account balance 426, user selection cost 428,enter biometrics option 488, and submit selection button 490.

It is noted that user ID 492 is exclusive of personally identifiableinformation (PII) of user 140. Thus, although user ID 492 enables imagemanagement system 100 to distinguish anonymous user 140 from otheranonymous users, image management system 100 is not configured to retaininformation describing the age, gender, race, ethnicity, or any otherPII of any user interacting with image management system 100.

According to the implementation shown in FIG. 4, personas 480 a and 480b are virtual characters stored in personas database 112/212 a/212 b,while persona 480 c is a privacy persona assumable by user 140. As shownin FIG. 4, persona 480 b is grayed out or otherwise obscured to indicatethat persona 480 b is not presently selectable and assumable by user140. Persona 480 b may not be presently selectable or assumable by user140 for any of a variety of reasons. For example, the user selectioncost 428 associated with selecting persona 480 b may exceed the useraccount balance 426. Alternatively, selection of persona 480 b mayrequire a status in a loyalty program associated with venue 134 not yetachieved by user 140.

As yet another alternative, selection of persona 480 b by user 140 maybe predicated on a purchase or the performance of an action not yetcompleted by user 140. For instance selection of persona 480 b by user140 may become available as a reward for appearing in a requisiteminimum number of photos taken in venue 134, or for appearing in morephotos than other users. As another example, user 140 may receive arecommendation via user interface 120/220/420 to purchase or rent aparticular movie, game, or other item of content. Subsequent rental orpurchase of that item of content by user 140 may be rewarded throughenablement of selection of persona 480 b by user 140.

As further shown by FIG. 4, of the two personas selectable and assumableby user 140, i.e., personas 480 a and 480 c, persona 480 a has beenselected as user persona 418 based on an input to user interface120/220/420 by user 140, resulting in generation of persona selectiondata 146. It is noted that, user persona 418 corresponds in general touser persona 118/218, in FIGS. 1 and 2, and may share any of thecharacteristics attributed to that corresponding feature by the presentdisclosure.

It is further noted that, in addition to selection of persona 480 a asuser persona 118/218/418, user interface 120/220/420 may further enableuser 140 to select one or more accessories for user persona 118/218/418from accessories selection menu 424. As shown in FIG. 4, accessoriesstored in accessories database 114/214 a/214 b for user persona118/218/418 include outfits 482, such as clothing, colors 484 forenhancing the appearance of user persona 118/218/418, and weapons 486.Selection of weapons 486 by user 140 may open a submenu including theoptions whip 486 a, ray gun 486 b, and sword 486 c, for example.

As also shown in FIG. 4, sword 486 c is grayed out or otherwise obscuredto indicate that sword 486 c is not presently selectable as an accessoryfor user persona 118/218/418 by user 140. Sword 486 c may not bepresently selectable by user 140 for reasons similar to those discussedabove with respect to persona 480 b. In one implementation, for example,the status of sword 486 c as selectable or not selectable may change inresponse to an action by user 140. As a specific example, where persona480 a is a virtual character from a science fiction movie to which user140 has purchased a ticket or otherwise acquired an entitlement, but hasnot yet attended or viewed, the pre-screening or pre-show status ofsword 486 c may be not selectable.

However, after viewing of the movie by user 140, such as throughattendance of a screening or as a result of viewing a digital stream ofthe movie, the post-screening or post-show status of sword 486 c maybecome selectable, or may be automatically provided as a permanent ortemporary entitlement to user 140 as a reward for viewing the movie. Itis noted that in some implementations, a costume corresponding to userpersona 118/218/418 may be handed out as a reward for viewing the movie.

Thus, in some implementations, entitlements to user persona 118/218/418and/or accessories for user persona 118/218/418 may be provided as abonus or award to user 140 for achieving status as a super fan, or ifuser 140 views the movie a second time. Alternatively, or in addition,the expiration of an entitlement to user persona 118/218/418 and/oraccessories for user persona 118/218/418 may be extended or delayed as areward for super fan status or if user 140 views the movie a secondtime.

As another specific example, where persona 480 a is a virtual characterfrom a video game, sword 486 c may not be selectable by user 140 untiluser 140 has played the game one or more times, or has achieved apredetermined status or proficiency level in the video game. However,after playing the video game the requisite number of times, or achievingthe required status or proficiency level, sword 486 c may becomeselectable by user 140, or may be automatically provided as a permanentor temporary entitlement to user 140 as a reward for playing the videogame or achieving the required status or proficiency level.

It is noted that the pre-show and post-show status, or the pre videogaming and post video gaming status, of sword 486 c may be similarlyapplied to the availability for selection of persona 480 b as userpersona 118/218/418, as well as to selection of any other accessoriesoffered by accessories selection menu 424. In addition, in someimplementations, additional points may be credited to user accountbalance 426 as a post-show or post video gaming reward for viewing themovie or playing the video game. It is further noted that analogouspre-show and post-show availability for selection of personas frompersonas selection menu 422, and/or accessories from accessoriesselection menu 424, and/or the awarding of post-show credits may applyto attendance at a theater play, Broadway style musical, opera, concert,or sporting event, for example.

With respect to action 371 of flowchart 370, in implementations in whichpersona selection data 146 is received by computing platform 102,persona selection data 146 may be received wirelessly via network 130 byimage customization software code 110/210 a, executed by hardwareprocessor 104/204. In implementations in which persona selection data146 is received by image processing system 150 a/150 b/250, personaselection data 146 may be received wirelessly via network 130 by imagecustomization software code 210 b, executed by hardware processor 254,and using transceiver 252.

Flowchart 370 continues with receiving digital image 148 including animage of user 140 (action 372). Digital image 148 may be ared-green-blue (RGB) image obtained by a digital camera, such as adigital still image camera for example. Alternatively, digital image 148may be an RGB image taken from a video clip obtained by a digital videocamera.

In some implementations, hardware processor 254 of image processingsystem 150 a/150 b/250 may execute image customization software code 210b to obtain digital image 148 using camera 258. In some of thoseimplementations, digital image 148 may be transmitted by imageprocessing system 150 a/150 b/250, using transceiver 252, to computingplatform 102/202 via network 130 and wireless network communicationlinks 132/232. In those implementations, digital image 148 may bereceived by image customization software code 110/210 a, executed byhardware processor 104/204 of computing platform 102/202. However, inother implementations, digital image 148 may be received from camera 258by image customization software code 210 b, executed by hardwareprocessor 254 of image processing system 150 a/150 b/250.

Alternatively, or in addition, in some implementations, digital image148 may be obtained using venue camera(s) 138. In some of thoseimplementations, digital image 148 may be transferred from venuecamera(s) 138 to computing platform 102/202 via network 130 and wirelessnetwork communication links 132/232. In those implementations, digitalimage 148 may be received by image customization software code 110/210a, executed by hardware processor 104/204 of computing platform 102/202.However, in other implementations, digital image 148 may be receivedfrom venue camera(s) 138 or from computing platform 102/202 by imagecustomization software code 210 b, executed by hardware processor 254 ofimage processing system 150 a/150 b/250.

Flowchart 370 continues with detecting the image of user 140 in digitalimage 148 (action 373). The image of user 140 may be detected in digitalimage 140 using any of several of techniques. For example, the image ofuser 140 may be detected in digital image 148 through skeleton trackingperformed based on optical data 166 obtained by venue camera(s) 138.Alternatively, or in addition, the image of user 140 may be detected indigital image 148 based on biometric data, such as bone structure, thegait or manner of walking of user 140, or based on artifacts of one ormore articles of clothing or personal accessories worn by user 140, suchas a hat.

Referring to FIG. 4, for example, in one implementation, user 140 mayutilize enter biometrics option 488 through user interface 120/220/420to submit biometrics data in the form of a facial image, body image, orretinal scan, for example. In those implementations, such biometricsdata may be included in persona selection data 146 generated in responseto the inputs to user interface 120/220/420 by user 140. As a specificexample, where a facial image of user 140 is included in personaselection data 146, the image of user 140 in digital image 148 may bedetected using facial recognition techniques. Alternatively, or inaddition, where user interface 120/220/420 is executed on communicationdevice 144 in the form of a mobile phone or tablet computer of user 140,for example, biometric data stored on communication device 144 may beaccessed, either automatically or subsequent to an opt in selection byuser 140.

In implementations in which digital image 148 is received by imagecustomization software code 110/210 a, detection of the image of user140 in digital image 148 may be performed by image customizationsoftware code 110/210 a, executed by hardware processor 104/204 ofcomputing platform 102/202. In implementations in which digital image148 is received by image customization software code 210 b, detection ofthe image of user 140 in digital image 148 may be performed by imagecustomization software code 210 b, executed by hardware processor 254 ofimage processing system 150 a/150 b/250.

Flowchart 370 continues with obtaining user persona 118/218/418 frompersonas database 112/212 a/212 b (action 374). In some implementations,hardware processor 104/204 of computing platform 102/202 may executeimage customization software code 110/210 a to obtain user persona118/218/418 from personas database 112/212 a. In some of thoseimplementations, user persona 118/218/418 may be transmitted to imageprocessing system 150 a/150 b/250 via network 130 and wireless networkcommunication links 132/232. In other implementations, hardwareprocessor 254 of image processing system 150 a/150 b/250 may executeimage customization software code 210 b to obtain user persona118/218/418 from personas database 212 b stored locally on system memory256 of image processing system 150 a/150 b/250.

According to some implementations, action 374 may further includeobtaining one or more accessories for user persona 118/218/418 fromaccessories database 114/214 a/214 b. In some implementations, hardwareprocessor 104/204 of computing platform 102/202 may execute imagecustomization software code 110/210 a to obtain accessories for userpersona 118/218/418 from accessories database 114/214 a. In some ofthose implementations, the one or more accessories for user persona118/218/418 may be transmitted to image processing system 150 a/150b/250 via network 130 and wireless network communication links 132/232.In other implementations, hardware processor 254 of image processingsystem 150 a/150 b/250 may execute image customization software code 210b to obtain one or more accessories for user persona 118/218/418 fromaccessories database 214 b stored locally on system memory 256 of imageprocessing system 150 a/150 b/250.

Flowchart 370 can conclude with outputting customized image 168/268 tobe rendered on display 262, where user persona 118/218/418 modifies theimage of user 140 in customized image 168/268 (action 375). In someimplementations in which user persona 118/218/418 is obtained by imagecustomization software code 110/210 a, image customization software code110/210 a may be further executed by hardware processor 104/204 ofcomputing platform 102/202 to output customized image 168/268 bytransmitting customized image 168/268 to image processing system 150a/150 b/250 via network 130 and wireless network communication links132/232. However, in implementations in which user persona 118/218/418is obtained by image customization software code 210 b, hardwareprocessor 254 of image processing system 150 a/150 b/250 may executeimage customization software code 210 b to output customized image168/268 and to render customized image 168/268 on display 262.

FIG. 5A shows venue 534 including user 540 wearing wearable item 542associating user 540 with user persona 518, while FIG. 5B showscustomized image 568 including the image of user 540 modified by userpersona 518, as viewed by observer 536 utilizing image processing system550. Also included in FIGS. 5A and 5B are other visitors 564 a and 564 bto venue 534 who are not utilizing an image processing system to viewuser 540.

It is noted that venue 534, user 540, and wearable item 542 correspondrespectively in general to venue 134, user 140, and wearable item 142,in FIG. 1, while observer 536 corresponds in general to either or bothof first and second observers 136 a and 136 b. Consequently, venue 534and wearable item 542 may share any of the characteristics attributed torespective venue 134 and wearable item 142 by the present disclosure,and vice versa. Image processing system 550, in FIGS. 5A and 5B,corresponds in general to image processing system 150 a/150 b/250, inFIGS. 1 and 2, and may share any of the characteristics attributed tothat corresponding feature above. In addition, customized image 568, inFIG. 5B, corresponds in general to customized image 168/268, in FIGS. 1and 2, and may share any of the characteristics attributed to thatcorresponding feature above. Moreover, user persona 518 corresponds ingeneral to user persona 118/218/418 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, and may shareany of the characteristics attributed to that corresponding featureabove.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, user persona 118/218/418/518 modifies theimage of user 140/540 in customized image 168/268/568. Customized image168/268/568 is the image seen by observer 136 a/136 b/536 using imageprocessing system 150 a/150 b/250/550 in venue 134/534. As shown in FIG.5B, in some implementations, user persona 118/218/418/518 may be fit tothe image of user 140/540 in customized image 168/268/568. In someimplementations, for example, image customization software code 110/210a/210 b may be configured to substantially match one or more of thesize, height, and body shape of user 140/540 to a character modelcorresponding to user persona 118/218/418/518. In some of thoseimplementations, data corresponding to the size, and/or height, and/orshape of user 140/540 may be provided by user 140/540 through userinterface 120/220/420 and enter biometrics option 488. However, it isreiterated that the image management solution disclosed in the presentapplication is not configured to retain information describing the age,gender, race, ethnicity, or any other PII of any user interacting withimage management system 100.

It is noted that although the present disclosure emphasized modificationof an image of user 140/540 by user persona 118/218/418/518, the imagemanagement solution disclosed herein may be adapted by one of ordinaryskill in the art to modify the images of other visitors 564 a and 564 bto venue 134/534 and/or observer 136 a/136 b/536 based on a persona orpersonas selected by user 140/540. For example, it may be desirable touser 140/540 that a photograph of user 140/540 taken in venue 134/534,for example using venue camera(s) 138, show user 140/540 in the companyof virtual characters, rather than in the presence of visitors 564 a and564 b and observer 136 a/136 b/536. In those cases, the present solutionmay be adapted to enable user 140/540 to modify the images of visitors564 a and 564 b and observer 136 a/136 b/536 in such a photograph byaugmenting their respective images with virtual characters worn ascostumes, or by substitution of their images by virtual charactersselected by user 140/540.

Thus, the present application discloses image management solutions forcustomizing a digital image including an image of a user, using apersona associated with the user. The present solution includesreceiving a wireless signal associating the persona with the user. Thepresent solution further includes detecting the image of the user in thedigital image, obtaining the persona associated with the user from adatabase, and outputting the customized image to be rendered on adisplay, where the persona associated with the user modifies the imageof the user in the customized image. As a result, the image managementsystems and methods disclosed by the present application advantageouslyenable a user to exercise considerable control over how his or her imageis viewed by others.

From the above description it is manifest that various techniques can beused for implementing the concepts described in the present applicationwithout departing from the scope of those concepts. Moreover, while theconcepts have been described with specific reference to certainimplementations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognizethat changes can be made in form and detail without departing from thescope of those concepts. As such, the described implementations are tobe considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Itshould also be understood that the present application is not limited tothe particular implementations described herein, but manyrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions are possible withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

1-20 (canceled)
 21. A wireless device worn or carried by a first userfor use with a computing platform and a wireless transmitter worn orcarried by a second user, the computing platform having a database ofpersonas, the wireless device comprising: a hardware processor; adisplay; and a camera; the hardware processor configured to: wirelesslyreceive a signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter worn or carriedby the second user; provide at least some information contained in thesignal to the computing platform via a wireless network to associate thesignal with one of the personas stored in the database; obtain, usingthe camera, a digital image including an image of the second user;provide the digital image to the computing platform via the wirelessnetwork; receive a customized image from the computing platform via thewireless network, the customized image including a modified image of thesecond user in the digital image using the associated one of thepersonas; and render, on the display of the wireless device for viewingby the first user, the customized image including the modified image ofthe second user using the associated one of the personas.
 22. Thewireless device of claim 21, wherein the signal is indicative of theassociated one of the persona in the database.
 23. The wireless deviceof claim 21, wherein the associated one of the persona comprises avirtual character, the virtual character augmenting the image of thesecond user in the customized image.
 24. The wireless device of claim21, wherein the associated one of the persona comprises a virtualcharacter, the virtual character being substituted for the image of thesecond user in the customized image.
 25. The wireless device of claim21, wherein the associated one of the persona comprises a privacypersona, resulting in the absence of an image being substituted for theimage of the second user in the customized image.
 26. The wirelessdevice of claim 21, wherein the image of the second user is detectedbased on a biometric data.
 27. The wireless device of claim 21, whereinthe associated one of the persona based on inputs by the second user.28. The wireless device of claim 21, wherein the wireless device is anaugmented reality (AR) glasses worn by the first user.
 29. The wirelessdevice of claim 21, wherein the wireless device is a virtual reality(VR) headset worn by the first user.
 30. A method of using a wirelessdevice worn or carried by a first user in conjunction with a computingplatform and a wireless transmitter worn or carried by a second user,the wireless device comprising a hardware processor, a display and acamera, the computing platform having a database of personas, the methodcomprising: wirelessly receive, using the hardware processor, a signaltransmitted by the wireless transmitter worn or carried by the seconduser; providing, using the hardware processor, at least some informationcontained in the signal to the computing platform via a wireless networkto associate the signal with one of the personas stored in the database;obtaining, using the camera, a digital image including an image of thesecond user; providing, using the hardware processor, the digital imageto the computing platform via the wireless network; receiving, using thehardware processor, a customized image from the computing platform viathe wireless network, the customized image including a modified image ofthe second user in the digital image using the associated one of thepersonas; and rendering, on the display of the wireless device forviewing by the first user, the customized image including the modifiedimage of the second user using the associated one of the personas. 31.The method of claim 30, wherein the signal is indicative of theassociated one of the persona in the database.
 32. The method of claim30, wherein the associated one of the persona comprises a virtualcharacter, the virtual character augmenting the image of the second userin the customized image.
 33. The method of claim 30, wherein theassociated one of the persona comprises a virtual character, the virtualcharacter being substituted for the image of the second user in thecustomized image.
 34. The method of claim 30, wherein the associated oneof the persona comprises a privacy persona, resulting in the absence ofan image being substituted for the image of the second user in thecustomized image.
 35. The method of claim 30, wherein the image of thesecond user is detected based on a biometric data.
 36. The method ofclaim 30, wherein the associated one of the persona based on inputs bythe second user.
 37. The method of claim 30, wherein the wireless deviceis an augmented reality (AR) glasses worn by the first user.
 38. Themethod of claim 30, wherein the wireless device is a virtual reality(VR) headset worn by the first user.